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The Always Sunny Guide To Philadelphia

September 26, 2010 9:37 AM

(credit: FX Networks)

The show is called “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia,” and its opening credits roll past about a half dozen Philly landmarks – all shown at night.

Promise one thing and deliver another is what this crude, vulgar, mean-spirited, wildly hilarious love-it-or-hate-it sitcom is all about. Based on a $200 pilot, Philadelphia native Rob McElhenney (“Mac”), along with fellow actors Glenn Howerton (“Dennis”) and Charlie Day (“Charlie”), went on to land their show on the FX Network. Star Danny DeVito (“Frank”) was added to the cast in Season 2, and gradually “Sunny” became one of the cable network’s biggest hits.

Described as “Seinfeld On Crack,” each episode follows the misadventures of five scheming, self-centered morons usually shown at each show’s beginning gathered at Paddy’s Pub, their dive bar in South Philly. One character reveals a brilliant idea that, in the moment, doesn’t seem so bad — but we know things are going to go badly once their dishonest, vain, greedy natures shine through.

Don’t let the nastiness fool you: There’s a lot of love among the cast. Day’s character Charlie is obsessed with a woman simply known as “The Waitress,” played by actress Mary Elizabeth Ellis. The Waitress loathes Charlie, but in real life the pair have been married since 2006. Also, actress Kaitlin Olson (“Dee”) and McElhenney (“Mac”) wed in 2008.

The opening credits were also made low-budget, with the show’s creators simply driving around the city with a digital camera one night. Here’s a “Sunny” trivia test to throw at your friends: Can they name the seven Philadelphia landmarks shown? Here’s the breakdown…

(credit: FX Networks)

First stop:Benjamin Franklin Bridge
Glimpsed from the Delaware Expressway.

(credit: FX Networks)

Second stop:Penn’s Landing on Market Street
About to cross 2nd Street.

(credit: FX Networks)

Third stop:Lincoln Financial Field
Drive by seen from the Delaware Expressway.